‘La Bola Negra’ Moves to October as Netflix Extends Theatrical Window for Oscar Hopeful to 47 Days
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- Netflix moved "La Bola Negra" up from November 6 to October 16 in U.S. theaters, with global streaming launching December 2 after a 47-day theatrical window — the longest the streamer has ever set, surpassing its previously announced window for 2027's "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew."
- Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (known as Los Javis and former partners) tied with Pawel Pawlikowski for "Fatherland" to win Cannes Best Director for the Federico García Lorca-inspired cross-temporal drama spanning 1930s Spain to 2017.
- Netflix beat out A24 and Neon in a highly competitive U.S. rights bid, with the company subsequently securing Canadian distribution and booking the film into TIFF's Special Presentations section.
- Penélope Cruz will receive a Special Tribute Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards for her performance as a bawdy cabaret singer, while Anne Hathaway singled out praise for the film during a red carpet interview promoting "The Odyssey."
- The ensemble features Glenn Close as a scholar connecting the men across decades, "Elite" star Miguel Bernardeau, Lola Dueñas, Julio Torres, and Spanish music sensation Guitarricadelafuente in his acting debut.
- Netflix's broader Cannes haul includes Léa Seydoux best-actress hopeful "Gentle Monster," Critics Week animated title "In Waves," and the undated Lee Chang-dong film "Possible Love."
Why it matters: Netflix's 47-day theatrical window for 'La Bola Negra' — the longest the streamer has ever set, beating its previously announced mark for 'Narnia' — gives its Cannes Best Director winner a full awards runway, backed by Cruz's TIFF Tribute and Hathaway's public praise.
